SECOND at Dansmakers, Amsterdam

After seeing the preview video I was excepting a pensive, intense dance performance, depicting a struggle with the self, the other and the movement of life, which is unavoidably coursing towards an existence determined by digital influence. But what did I get?

Staged at an industrial warehouse, Dansmaker (located behind the Oedipus brewery in Noord Amsterdam), it was a modest setting for such a thought provoking evening performance. As it was an intimate event, we were able to choose comfortable seats in the tiered stands close to the stage. The stage was a blank canvas, white, square, empty; along either side there were standing lights were ready, as yet giving nothing away.

In a black-out, two lone figures entered from either side. Illuminated by a sudden harsh light, clothed in what looked like non-gender specific, futuristic, partly transparent outfits and back dropped by a frantic beat, they seemed to shake and pulse in an out of control motion. Apart. Alone. Lost perhaps.

They continued to be contained by this self-perpetuating and almost agonizing struggle until they came together. Over a more steady electronic bass line they embraced. The pace slowed. Time almost stopped. Space filled the room as we adjusted to the antithesis of mood, emotion and began to interpret the storytelling that was unraveling in front of us.

As the deep digital music developed they began to move in a way that suggested a connection, with fluidity and a certain rhythm of life perhaps. But there was also a disconnection, evident in the distant stares and distracted nature of the two personas. With the base line beginning to surge and soar, their movements became more rigid, agitated and, for me in the audience, their inability to make eye contact made it uncomfortable. Ultimately their connection appeared to be fracturing.

What was this reminding me of? Perhaps the distractions – our phones, laptops, the display screens, beeps and vibrations of the digital world – always drawing us away from our real life connections or relationships? Or is that just life in general: pulled between responsibility, wants and desires and what is right or others’ expectations? It was reminiscent of the idea that we are all searching or looking for something: something different from what we have – maybe something better. And in doing so, we avoid and potentially ruin what is directly in front of us. The staging, costumes, lighting and digitalised music only helped to exemplify these feelings of reflection, confusion and even fear.

Later on, they are drawn together again. In a post-performance chat, which everyone was invited to, the dancers opened up the discussion about why this had happened. They wanted to delve into “the different ways their visual representation had been interpreted by” the engaged audience. “A fear of loneliness” (Daniel suggested), frustration, our addiction to being with others, like the social creates we are, even if that relationship is toxic, unwanted or causes anger (Enrico alluded to). Enrico told us the choice of the “funny, ironic” song in the second part was a deliberate comment on the ridiculousness of the scenario unfolding or a provocation of the audience: to challenge the viewers to consider what they were identifying with. The costume designer was there too which enabled us to explore the process from conception to the performances further.

The whole performance from this talented duo, collectivePRIME, was thought provoking; even after the discussion and the cycle home (when our deconstruction continued), it was clear that each person took their own meaning from the dynamic and distressed dance. Much like the relationship struggle shown in performance between Shia LeBeouf and Maddie Ziegler in Sia’s ‘Elastic Heart’, it is unclear who they are and their connection is changeable: father and daughter, lovers, friends, enemies. This is something which Enrico and Daniel said they had intentionally left open to interpretation. Each night has an organic feel it, the dancers confessed: they used the energy of the different audiences to define their physical interactions on stage.

Also, for me, parallels can be made with Tom Yorke’s ‘Anima’ music video released earlier this year. Daniel Barkan (from Israel) and Enrico Meijer (from the Netherlands), the concept creators, choreographers and dancers of this piece second, similarly set out to explore the idea of intimacy, of influences and choice.

Curious? It is a must see. After tonight there is one last performance on 14th September Rose Fawbert Mills 8th September 2019

Post navigation

Welcome to ArtsTalk Magazine Holland

Launched in June 2017, we are the sister publication of StageTalk Magazine in the UK and provide previews, reviews and information, in English, for theatres, art exhibitions, concerts, opera etc, concentrating on cities in south west Netherlands (Noord/Zuid Holland and Utrecht regions). Each venue, museum or gallery has its own page with information and a link to its website. The site is updated regularly and information is always coming in so there is always something new to discover or read about.

If you are promoting any events, please let us know and we’ll probably be able to list them.

Please subscribe to ArtsTalk Magazine using the box at the bottom of the page and follow us on social media using the links below so you are always up to date with the arts in Holland.

1st June marks an important milestone in the struggle against the coronavirus as far as the arts are concerned. Finally, after two months of lockdown, performance spaces, galleries and museums open their doors to the public – with very tight restrictions and controls. For museums, especially the big ones in Amsterdam like the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh, it will mean one is able to look at the pictures in a calm and leisurely fashion

EXTRACURRICULAR

by Parikrama Rai of Victory Art in Rotterdam.
The current pandemic has presented us with many challenges: one of which is to stay connected with the world despite being locked in our quickly shrinking homes. The internet has, however, been a blessing during this dark time. For us art enthusiasts especially, it has given us a connection to the inspiring world of art from a safe distance.

NEWS UPDATE

We will bring you relevant news about the Coronavirus situation in the Netherlands, The Hague area in particular, gleaned from various Dutch sources thanks to Omroep West and DutchBuzz.

Headlines for Wednesday, 3rd June

GGD CORONA TESTING LOCATION OPENS IN NOOTDORP

Public Health Minister, Hugo de Jonge, will officially open an outdoor corona testing centre in Nootdorp today. As of Monday this week, anyone with signs of the coronavirus can apply for the test. If you have signs of the coronavirus, you can make an appointment for the test by phoning 0800-1202.. . . .

The ArtsTalk Podcast

Each week ArtsTalk Magazine editor Michael Hasted presents a podcast focusing on cultural events in and around The Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

We meet Brazilian dancer and choreographer SAMIR CALIXTO about his work at the Korzo Theatre in The Hague and there is a song from Canadian singer and performance artist RONLEY TEPER. We talk to the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen director SJAREL EX about The Depot, an annexe to the museum which will be opening next year. . . .

BOOKS & LITERARY EVENTS

Paolo Giordano won Italy’s premier literary award at the age of twenty six with his very first novel, The Solitude of Prime Numbers. Written in between the completion of his undergraduate degree and his PhD in Physics, he would go on to complete his doctorate but then devoted himself to writing.